Anthony Rue II is the founder and leader of one of the most commercially successful dance groups, The Amount Boyz. Anthony Rue II was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and transcended the boundaries of the inner city and its woes, beginning his dance training starting at the early age of 10, at the National Dance Institute. After training at the institute through out his elementary years Anthony then moved on to attend New York City’s acclaimed “Fame” school Fiorella La Gaurdia High School of the Performing Arts. While training and excelling in classically trained dance, the exposure to funk and soul classics by his mother and the rise of Hip-Hop music and the dance that followed the movement still had a profound influence on him, and was ultimately where his passion for the art form lay.
Spotlight Travels: Las Vegas with Jonathan McCall
Jonathan McCall is a television news anchor/reporter with Cox Media Group. He had the desire to become a newsman, watching local news at the age of 4. Jonathan grew up in Houston, but his career in TV news has moved him to Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, Nevada, California and Oklahoma.
Spotlight Travels: Queensbridge, NY with Chris Jones

In 2010, he successfully began his road to stardom by releasing his first mix tape, Creative Control which was hosted by the acclaimed DJ Mick Boogie. It not only made a splash in the underground music world, thus surpassing industry expectations, but mainstream outlets such as Source Magazine also titled Chris as one of the top “hot up and coming rappers.”
Chris started his career at a young age by watching people from his famed neighborhood such as Nas and Mobb Deep reach global music success. Though he was still only listening and creating lyrics as a hobby at this time, he realized his “dream” of doing what he loved, sharing his life experiences but at the same time never forgetting his roots, could actually become a reality. He eventually developed his own signature style by combining and intermixing the sounds from his role models, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye, Diddy and Fabolous, just to name a few.
In fact, this is what sets him apart from other artist hopefuls. He is a lyricist who is able to switch styles like chameleons who changes colors. His music has many faces where it appeals to all individuals, from strugglers, to hustlers, to playboys, and even to women.
And like his role models, instead of focusing his music on money, drugs and women, Chris aspires be a performer who tells his story through music. He stays true to his belief as his DJ Mick Boogie hosted mix tape, Creative Control, does just that. The title itself was created as a representation to hip-hop and its growth. Over time, he felt that hip-hop had been watered down to the point where artists were not talking about their true experiences. Therefore, Creative Control was a statement to the industry saying that he had complete power on what was on it.
Because at the end of the day, Chris will never forget where he came from and he will always appreciate his roots.

Keep up with Chris Jones on Twitter and Instagram! Head over to Soundcloud to listen to his music!!
Spotlight Travels: Italy with Gaetano

Gaetano – A rising R&B star born and raised in the Bronx, New York is a singer/songwriter/producer/
Gaetano is a self taught musician, who plays electric/acoustic guitar, piano, bass, and drums. He recorded his first song in the studio when he was just 6 years old; “Torna A Surriento”, an Italian classic.
Throughout his teenage years, Gaetano developed a deep love for soul music by studying some of the greats: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Babyface, D’Angelo, R Kelly, Lauren Hill, Bob Marley, to name a few.
Besides an artist, Gaetano is also a songwriter-producer, and has been working with some very notable artists in the industry, and has also landed placements on movie soundtracks and commercial jingles.
Gaetano released his debut EP, “Fade Away” in fall 2013. The project features production from Grammy Award Winning producer/songwriter Kaleb “K Quick” Rollins, as well as self-produced/written tracks from Gaetano. He is currently working on his sophomore project, hoping to release it by end of 2015.
Holly Dayz: What took you to Italy?
Gaetano: Relax, eat amazing food, drink delicious wine, and visit my Uncle Mario and cousins (many of them!)

Gaetano:My family is from Salerno. A city in southern Italy, region of Campania.
Gaetano: Milan is a central commercial city, with lots of clubs (discoteca), name brand shopping, markets, street vendors. There is also Malpensa Airport, a subway system, and a major train hub, Porta Garibaldi. Torino is famous for it’s beautiful Piazza’a (village squares), and proximity to the Italian Alps. Liguria is a region of Italy located on the north-western coast by the sea.

Gaetano: In Milan – The Duomo, in Torino – View from Monte Di Cappucini, and in Liguria – Beautiful view of the ocean and coast.



Gaetano: Milan – Definitely the Teatro Alla Scala. It’s one of the most famous opera houses in the world. It’s a bit off from the shopping centers and the Duomo, but it’s worth checking out. Torino, Piazza San Carlo.

Holly Dayz:How did you get from one city to another?
Gaetano:Italy has a wonderfully advanced train system, which travels everywhere in Italy. It’s comparable to the Amtrak here in the States. It is called, ITALO. A super fast train that travels at 175 mph! I used this train to get from city to city.

Gaetano:The mountains! I had a jam session with my cousin Emanuel, who loves music and is learning how to play guitar.

Gaetano:Little to none unfortunately. However, There are a number of street musicians, one who I met actually was quite brilliant. He was like the Italian version of Ed Sheeran. A guitar player and singer, named SOLTANTO. He was dope! I’m actually hoping to work with him when he comes to the U.S.
Holly Dayz: Have you ever performed in Italy?
Gaetano:Sadly, no. There aren’t many platforms for musicians and singers there, if any at all. Makes you realize how lucky we are to be in New York, we have so much here that we take for granted :/
Gaetano: Yes, so many, too many to name. Carlos Santana, Timbaland, D’Angelo, Tank… to name a few. If I could work with any Italian artists, it would be Andrea Bocelli & Eros Ramazzoti.
Gaetano: Oh my…. where to begin! Milan’s Piazza Del Duomo has some of the best Italian restaurants in the world. Torino’s Piazza Vittoria and Piazza San Carlo has dozens of great places too. In Liguria, you’ll find a lot of seafood joints because it’s right by the sea where fresh fish is caught daily!

Gaetano:Believe it or not… it was a Cappuccino, with a Nutella filled croissant! At an amazing cafe and pastry shop in Torino called DeGusto’s. And of course I had pizza at a bunch of places while I was in Italy, every single time was ridiculous! And you have to eat it with a fork and knife!

Gaetano: Fashion in Milan is slick and trendy, comparable to 5th ave in New York or Paris. There’s a lot of wealthy Russian and German tourists, you can tell because they dress flashier than usual. But fashion in Italy is generally important. It is common to dress nicely even to make a trip to the local cafe, or even for a family dinner.

Gaetano: Hmm good question. It has an international vibe, a lot of Swiss, French, German tourists. It has a downtown New York feel. The streets are cobblestone and rustic, with a lot of cool scenery and architecture. And it has it’s own subway system too. It is not a main tourist destination like Roma, but it is definitely worth checking out. You need to see it for yourself!
Gaetano: Main advice would be to learn some Italian before going, there aren’t as many English speakers as you would think. The Italians will appreciate when you attempt to “conversate” with them! Just make sure to work on your Italian Pronunciation too! Also beware of Gypsies, they are vagabonds wandering from city to city, and are notoriously known for petty thefts like robbery and pick pocketing. The gypsies will take advantage of easy targets like confused and lost tourists.
Spotlight Travels: Miami with Tania On The Scene

Tania L. Breton, aka “Tania On The Scene,” was born and raised in Queens, New York. While attending York College, Tania worked as a staff writer for the college’s paper, “Pandora’s Box”. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism.
Tania is currently working at PIX 11 Morning News in NYC as an entertainment producer. She also writes stories for the LIVE show. Additionally, she has had some of her celebrity interviews featured in the “Best Of NYC” section on the PIX11 website.
She has recently launched her website TaniaOnTheScene.com to promote her on-camera work. “Tania On The Scene” is available to host your next event, emcee your next party, or interview your favorite celebs.
HollyDayz: What took you to Miami?
Tania: Kid N Play were hosting a house party and I was invited by PLUSH Illusions to cover the event. They hosted and also performed. It was a great event. Everyone was rockin’ out.
HollyDayz: How was the weather when you went?
Tania: The weather was beautiful! No humidity. Just the sun beaming down and giving me that awesome glow lol.
HollyDayz: What was your favorite part of your trip to Miami?
Tania: Kid N Play did their infamous dance from back in the day. But honestly my favorite part was interviewing them. They were so down to a Earth. Kid is hilarious. Play taught me a lot from his experience in journalism. It was a fun interview. A real good time that I think was also portrayed on camera.
HollyDayz: What was your favorite meal to eat while there?
Tania: I think all I had was take out. Terrible! But I gotta say when the event was over, those pancakes from Ihop hit the spot.
HollyDayz: Since you love to interview people who are your top 3 people that you would love to interview who claim Miami as their home?
Tania: Pitbull. I love that new song he has with NeYo. He’s all over. I love it! Rick Ross would be a dope interview. I would play a game with him to see what we could find out about him. And Sidney Poitier, simply because he’s a legend. I feel like that would be the most meaningful interview because there’s so much to learn from his journey.
HollyDayz: What are some of the tourist spots that you visited?
Tania: I didn’t do any touristy things because I really only flew in for the weekend to work. It was a Saturday night event and my flight was Sunday morning.
HollyDayz: How would you describe Miami to a person who has never been there?
Tania: If you’ve been to Vegas, it’s very similar… I would even compare it to Times Square in NY. It’s a strip of bars and restaurants and the weather is usually warm and beautiful.
HollyDayz: Any tips for those who have never been there?
Tania: Always bring an umbrella because it will randomly rain on you. Sun showers for 2 mins and then done. Just like that.
HollyDayz: Where would you like your next interview to be?
Tania: Hawaii would be awesome! But I’ll settle for anywhere in the UK. I know a lot of artists are huge over there.
Check out the Kid N Play Interview as well as the other celebrity interviews. Find out more about Tania at Tania On The Scene and follow her on Twitter
Spotlight Travels: Japan with Monica Ramirez

Monica Ramirez is a professional dancer from Yuma, Arizona. She began dancing at the age of 7 where she studied classical ballet under a full scholarship at Yuma Ballet Academy. At the age of 13, she hung up her ballet sippers and began training in jazz, modern, and hip hop.
Spotlight Travels: Brockton, MA with Noel Gourdin

Brockton, Massachusetts with Noel Gourdin
Soul and R&B singer Noel Gourdin (Gor-Deen) emerged on the music scene with his number one hit song “The River”, which stayed on the Urban AC charts at number one for 15 weeks! Noel’s childhood was not a traditional one; he was born in Brockton, MA., but spent his summers with family in Pachuta, Mississippi.
His current album,“City Heart, Southern Soul” is a musical expression of his life. It is already producing hits like “FOXXXY”, which is currently top 10 on UK’s urban radio soul charts and is in getting heavy rotation on UK radio. The single “Don’t You Wanna”, which was featured on VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop – Atlanta” show, is also becoming a fan favorite.
“I grew up on music that had meaning and it’s still around today; that music was made in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. What I want to be remembered for….. Timeless, Real and Soulful, music,” said Noel Gourdin.
The result is a man who is city to the heart but southern to the soul!
Noel Gourdin: His hometown of Brockton…

Holly Dayz: Do any of your songs reference Brockton and have you ever shot a video there?
Noel: I always have Brockton in my mind while I’m writing songs, like the reference of riding up to the lake in my song “Foxxxy” off my latest album “City Heart, Southern Soul” is actually about parking near the bodies of water at DW Fields Park in Brockton. I have never shot a video there and that’s just because I’ve never really had the opportunity to do so, wherever the videographer has been is where I’ve shot my videos due to budgeting.
Holly Dayz: What are some family friendly places to go in Brockton?
Noel: There’s a lot of places to go, but I’d say you should take the short ride to Cape Cod, to really experience an unforgettable time and all that New England has to offer. Fun Parks, beaches, board walks with arcades, and shops with souvenirs etc.. If at all possible take a ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard as well, but try to spend at least a week there.
Holly Dayz: How is your hometown different from where you live now and does it affect your writing?
Noel: Brockton is a little faster in terms of pace and how folks are always in a hurry and here in Alabama, things are a lot more spread out and folks are a lot more laid back. It’s quieter where I live now, and I prefer quieter. Doing what I do for a living, I’m frequently in places that are so loud and lively and I like getting back home to peace and quiet, and peace of mind. So if it’s had an effect on my writing, I’d say it’s been a great effect, and I’ve welcomed it.
Holly Dayz: Besides Brockton, what has been your favorite place to visit and why?
Noel: I absolutely love and feel blessed to go and perform where ever people request and want me to perform, but my favorite places would have to be Atlanta, Georgia, and Mississippi. Simply because when I go to those places to perform, I know I’m gonna get a chance to see my family that I haven’t seen in a little while. It’s always good and worthwhile to hang out with the Fam!
Holly Dayz: Any hometown performances in the near future?
Noel: I do have a few things in the works, and I’m so hoping that they pan out because it’s always a special place for me to perform and show out! My People are my People and it’s all about LOVE!
Holly Dayz: What is your favorite hometown venue to perform at, or a place you would love to perform at?
Noel: There are well-respected, “hole in the wall joints”, in Brockton named “Pete & Mary’s” and “GiGi’s” and they were always a couple of my favorite places to perform! Everybody went there, I mean generations and they were the types of places where everyone knew everyone. So when I would perform there and get props, it was like getting recognition from Family.
Holly Dayz: In your opinion, when would be the best time to visit Brockton?
Noel: I would say the best time to visit would be the summertime. There’s just so many things to do, and if you do go, tell them Noel Gourdin sent you and you just might get a discount! I’m not promising anything, but you just might! Haha…
Learn more about Noel Gourdin at www.noelgourdin.com and follow him on twitter @noelgourdin
Spotlight Travels: New Zealand with Glen Dandridge

NEW ZEALAND
SPOTLIGHT TRAVEL with Basketball Player –
Glen Dandridge:
Meet Glenn Dandridge. A professional basketball player from Virginia who has played in different parts of the world.
Today you will get a glimpse of Glenn’s life playing basketball in New Zealand for 5 months…
Glen Dandridge: I was in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the South Island.

**(Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand‘s South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill.)**
Holly Dayz: How was playing basketball there,different from other countries you have played in?
Spotlight Travels: Barbados with Dear Pricey

BARBADOS
Meet Dear Pricey, a hip-hop artist from Brooklyn by way of Barbados.
Dear Pricey gives us a glimpse of his hometown, Barbados…
Spotlight Travels

We would like to invite you all to visit our new section
on HollyDayz.com called ⇒ “Spotlight Travels” ⇐.
This section will feature different people, from all walks of life, giving you a glimpse into their lives and travel adventures.
Don’t forget to click on our Follow Button on the left so you don’t miss all the exciting things we have planned.
So check out our first interview on Spotlight Travels, with hip-hop recording artist Dear Pricey and his take on his homeland of Barbados.